Iraq War

Nearly every American was decidedly pro-war after 9-11, but after a string of shaky presidential decisions, the enactment of the PATRIOT Act, and questionable legitimacy of a continuing war, there has been waning support. What is also true is that there is almost no youth involvement regarding the War in Iraq.

Let me begin by raising the question of whether the reason for this war is legitimate. Popular opinion states 9-11 was a terrorist attack by Al-Qaeda operatives under orders by Osama Bin Laden, stationed in Afghanistan. It wasn't later in 2003 that US intelligence became concerned over the possibility of WMDs in Iraq, and the "mastermind" of that accused operation, Saddam Hussein. I am not arguing the fact the Hussein was a ruthless leader, but rather questioning the reasons why America is there. If our only mission was to take Hussein out of pawer, we wouldn't still be there. As for "helping to establish peace in the Middle East", I don't buy it. The supposed role of a "global super power" is to ensure the principles of peace, not facilitate killing, provided the acting power actually understands the term peace. War is designed to eventually help some kind of humanitarian concern, fix a problem or stop an immense threat of extreme proportion; war should be the last resort. 

It is not the role of America to impose our beliefs on another country. Despite my personal opposition to Hussein, what right do we have to remove him from power and put him on trial, resulting in his death? If he didn't pose a serious threat to our national security (which he didn't because no WMDs were found), why the hell are we adding conflict to an area of amalgamated opposition? Though the intention of establishing Democracy and bringing "peace" to the Middle East sounds noble and righteous, what solid diplomacy are we adding? We are adding hatred towards American soldiers and the country they stand behind. The declared mission of this war is to establish a stable democracy and bring peace to the region. What significant gains have we made? How have we helped the chaotic tendencies in the Middle East? John McCain says he is prepared to stay in Iraq for 100 years if we have to. Thats not a war, thats called colonization. 

In addition, the passing of the PATRIOT Act essentially gives the Executive Branch free reign to implement any action declared terrorism, offensively hiding behind the curtain of 9-11. Private companies like Blackwater, essentially killing groups, have been hired by US Government for security reasons. Why would the military need to hire additional security? Dirty operations? Empower American military presence? These types of companies are bullying parties, sending a political message to Sunni power groups like Al-Qaeda. Either way, the government isn't explicit on the role of such companies.  

To my another point of interest - youth involvement. America has once again invaded a country in retaliation and few of my peers care about it, let alone know enough to establish a legitimate opinion. For those of you who are well informed, good job. Unlike the counterculture of the '60s and early '70s, the War in Iraq hasn't facilitated much social change among youth. It hasn't changed the way we think of ourselves, nor has it interested a large population of America's children. I believe this is in large part to the growing materialistic trends of my generation. We have become so desensitized by constant information and personal ideals to realize that there is bloodshed by American hands overseas, dramatically different from romanticized American ambitions. We don't want to read about the troop surge, it doesn't affect us. We want Sports Illustrated and Cosmo, not the NYT or Washington Post. Perhaps because we have spent so many years fighting for our "freedoms", in Korea, Europe, etc., that as a nation we're too dumb to realize that freedom and responsibility are politically synonymous.